Market Intelligence
Agricultural Robots in United Kingdom
Post-Brexit labour shortages and sustained Innovate UK investment have made the UK one of Europe's most dynamic agricultural robotics innovation hubs.
Market Overview
The United Kingdom has emerged as a major ag robotics innovation centre, with Innovate UK investing £300 million+ in agricultural technology since 2015. Post-Brexit restrictions on EU seasonal workers have created acute labour shortages — particularly in horticulture — that are accelerating commercial deployment of harvest and weeding robots. UK companies Small Robot Company and Dogtooth Technologies have raised significant investment and are deploying commercially across British farms.
Labour cost context: UK agricultural workers earn £11.44–£13/hr (National Living Wage 2026). The Seasonal Worker visa scheme (45,000 places/year) meets only a fraction of horticulture's needs, forcing farms to automate or reduce planted acreage.
Government Subsidies & Grant Programmes
Innovate UK Smart Grants (Agri-Tech Strand)
Highly competitive grants of £25,000–£2 million for UK businesses developing agricultural innovation including robotics. Covers 35–70% of project costs depending on company size and stage.
Learn more ↗DEFRA Farming Innovation Programme
DEFRA-funded grants for precision farming, robotic systems, and smart monitoring. Multiple rounds with grants of £30,000–£250,000 for feasibility and development projects.
Learn more ↗Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) — Precision Farming Actions
Annual payments for precision farming practices including variable-rate application, GPS-guided machinery, and automated systems that reduce chemical inputs and emissions.
Learn more ↗Robots Available in United Kingdom(16)
AGCO Fendt Xaver
Pilot
AGCO Outrun Retrofit Kit
Commercial
DJI Agras T100
Commercial
DJI Agras T25
Commercial
DJI Agras T40
Commercial
DJI Agras T50
Commercial
DJI Agras T70P
Commercial
DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral
Commercial
DeLaval VMS V310
Commercial
Dogtooth H1 Strawberry Picker
Pilot
Ecorobotix ARA
Commercial
Ecorobotix SPOT Sprayer
Commercial
Lely Astronaut A5
Commercial
Lely Juno Feed Pusher
Commercial
Lely Vector Feed Mixer
Commercial
Saga Robotics Thorvald
CommercialFrequently Asked Questions
What UK companies make agricultural robots?
Small Robot Company (Stockbridge, Hampshire) makes Tom, an autonomous precision monitoring and micro-spraying robot for arable crops. Dogtooth Technologies (Cambridge) builds strawberry harvest robots. AGCO UK and Kubota UK have R&D centres developing autonomous machinery for British conditions. Several Innovate UK-funded startups are developing harvest and weeding robots for horticulture.
How has Brexit affected UK farm automation?
Brexit significantly accelerated farm automation by restricting access to EU seasonal labour. The Seasonal Worker visa scheme (45,000 places/year) meets only a fraction of horticulture's needs. Strawberry, asparagus, and soft fruit growers have been investing in harvest robotics to fill the gap. The UK government responded by increasing Innovate UK and DEFRA funding for ag tech development and deployment.
Can UK farmers get grants for agricultural robots?
Yes. Innovate UK Smart Grants offer 35–70% co-funding for developing or deploying ag robotics. The DEFRA Farming Innovation Programme provides £30,000–£250,000 grants for precision farming technology. The Sustainable Farming Incentive pays for precision farming practices. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) also administers capital grants for specific equipment through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).